The Imo State Government has restated its resolve to partner with the Federal Government to tackle the challenges of erosion and environmental pollution ravaging parts of the state.
The Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri.
Madumere said the state government’s priority was not only to save lives and property of her citizenry, but to ensure commercial food production and habitable environment for all.
Madumere said the state was willing to partner with the Federal Government to achieve its environment agenda.
He said he was already discussing with the Minister of the Environment, Amina Mohammed, on how to tackle the ecological problems in the state.
Madumere, however, stressed the need for proactive measure by various communities to promote healthy environmental practice.
He decried the menace of erosion, which according to him had largely affected the people of the state.
Imo State is among states with high incidences of gully erosion in the South East geopolitical zone.
This had adversely affected agriculture production and socio-economic activities in the state.
The deputy governor frowned at what he called “lackadaisical attitude” of some of oil firms operating in the state towards their host communities in times of environmental challenges.
According to Madumere, the attitude of some oil firms on reported cases of pollution as a result of leakages from their oil facilities is not encouraging.
He, however, expressed happiness for the proactive measure being taken by the Minister of the Environment and her team to handle such situations in the oil producing areas.
Madumere said: “I believe that with the positive words of the Minister of Environment, there will be light at the end of the tunnel in response to the protracted ecological challenges in the State.”